Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković stated in Paris today that Croatia will maintain its support for Ukraine, although it will not send troops, as Ukraine defends itself against Russian aggression.

“Deploying Croatian soldiers in Ukraine was never an option,” Plenković mentioned on the Iks network following a summit of around 30 leaders discussing peace and security in Ukraine.

He emphasized that Croatia will continue to offer extensive assistance to Ukraine “as a responsible member” of both the European Union and NATO, particularly focusing on demining and military support.

Plenković noted that in line with plans to strengthen European defense, his government will persist in bolstering defense capabilities and modernizing the Croatian military to ensure national security and readiness for future challenges.

“A strong Ukraine is essential for achieving a favorable peace negotiation outcome, which benefits both Croatia and all of Europe,” he stated.

“Thus, it’s crucial that we maintain military, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic aid, sharing Croatia’s experiences from the peaceful reintegration of the Danube region,” he added.

He reiterated that a durable and sustainable peace must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and provide security assurances.

“This peace should not undermine the foundations of international law that uphold our global order. Europe needs to be represented cohesively in negotiations, as the future security framework for our continent is being defined here,” Plenković stated.

Earlier, Croatian President Zoran Milanović reaffirmed the stance against sending soldiers to Ukraine.

“A Croatian soldier will not go to Ukraine under any circumstances; that is completely off the table,” Milanović asserted on Facebook.

He advised against self-deception, stating, “The Croatian Army will not embark on any missions, primarily because such a mission cannot occur without fulfilling the basic conditions—a peace agreement and consent from the other party, which regrettably is Russia.”

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